Silver Surfers' Day
2008
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(Note: To find other Silver Surfers' Day events around the country, on and
around May 23rd, put a post code in here:
http://www.digitalunite.net/ssd/?page=search
)
Mint Digital 'go slow' for Silver Surfers' Day in Vauxhall
When Andy Bell and Noam Sohachevsky set up new media agency, Mint Digital, in
2004, they had no funding, one client and worked out of Andy's flat in Vauxhall.
Today, with a second office in New York, 20+ employees and projects coming in
at a dizzying rate, the business is 24/7.
When Noam's girlfriend, Jemima Gibbons, heard about Silver Surfers' Day, she thought it was the perfect opportunity for Noam and Andy to slow down, and proposed they all get together to host an event.
Mint develops entertainment ideas that work across web, mobile and TV. Its target market is young - kids, teens and early twenties - an audience that interacts as quickly as it thinks.
Silver Surfers' Day gives Mint the chance to look at the web from a completely different perspective - through the eyes of people who might have never been online before and won't want to rush the experience.
On Friday 23 May, Mint's mostly twenty-something employees are going to kick
back and take it easy while local older people hijack their computer screens
for a
couple of hours over lunch.
The idea is to have fun, share knowledge and work at a different pace. Andy, Noam and Jemima (pictured above) think both sides will benefit.
- For more information on Mint Digital, contact Jemima Gibbons, iknowhow, 07958
357 334
- For information on Silver Surfers' Day, contact Gill Adams, M: 07860 515 217,
T: 0870 241 5091 E: gill.adams@digitalunite.net
, W: www.silversurfersday.org
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The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG),
right at the heart of Westminster (pic below), is walking its talk
Older people and their media literacy do matter and the good people at CLG are
demonstrating this commitment by running an Invite Your Parents to Work Day
on May 23rd.
Invite Your Parents to Work Day is the equivalent of a Silver Surfers' Day event for offices. Parents, grandparents and neighbours of the civil servants who work in the Department will be attending and will be taught by their children, and their children's colleagues, who have volunteered to be 'tutors for a day'.
Mike Falvey, the Director General of the Department's Human Resources and Business Change Group will be opening the Event, of which the CLG is justly proud. Tutors will be offering 24 x 1 hour taster sessions on 8 computers throughout the day.
If you happen by Eland House, near Victoria, on the day, you'll see the Event featured on the big plasma screens in the lobby, and on arrival welcome posters will invite parents up to the newly designed third floor where they will find balloons, streamers and refreshments in the 'meet and greet' area to lend a friendly, welcoming atmosphere to the event.
Well done, Peter Stean and Lucy Burtt of CLG for organising the event, and let's hope that we have more Government Departments involved next year.
- For more information on the CLG event, contact Peter Stean, Data Sharing
and Digital Policy Team 020 79445814
- For information on Silver Surfers' Day, contact Gill Adams, M: 07860 515 217,
T: 0870 241 5091 E: gill.adams@digitalunite.net
, W: www.silversurfersday.org
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Ashfords Solicitors, Exeter - are using IT training to help reduce isolation
of older people
On Friday 23rd May 2008, Ashfords Solicitors, Exeter office, is opening its
dedicated IT training room to members of the general public to host a Silver
Surfers' Day Event.
Working in association with Digital Unite and as part of Adult Learners' Week, one of Ashfords' IT Trainers, Karen Williams will lead six IT taster sessions of 45 mins each during the course of the day. As a significant employer in the South West region, Ashfords takes its responsibility towards its local community seriously and is already actively involved in a number of community projects.
Peter Barton, Partner at Ashfords and, Chairman of two local branches of Age Concern commented that Silver Surfers' Day was an initiative which Ashfords supported due to the importance of enabling an older generation access to and capability to use new IT and communication channels helping to reduce the isolation that is so often highlighted by them.
- For more information on Ashfords, contact Katherine Wood, Tel: 01392 33 3614,
Email: k.wood@ashfords.co.uk , W: www.ashfords.co.uk
- For information on Silver Surfers' Day, contact Gill Adams, M: 07860 515 217,
T: 0870 241 5091 E: gill.adams@digitalunite.net
, W: www.silversurfersday.org
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South Lakes Society for the Blind makes using a computer 'a piece of cake'
The internet can be an almost infinite source of information and entertainment
for anyone, but for blind people it can also enable them to live much more independent
lives. Many people do not realise that computers, including the internet, can
be made accessible for people with visual impairments, including those who have
no sight at all. Once on-line, people use written communication, shop, access
information and simply 'surf the net' with complete independence.
'I can shop without being dependent on someone, it gives me freedom of choice'
- Philippa Groves
'You have made such a difference to my life. It [the internet] opens the door to communication.' - Peggy Alsford
'It [the internet] is my lifeline, it keeps me in touch with everything' - Carol Dawbarn
'At the South Lakes Society for the Blind we have computers equipped with screen magnifiers and screen readers, and we have trained staff and volunteers to lead you through your first steps on-line,' says Charles Ely. 'Of particular interest to brand new surfers we have a program called The Guide, which is specially designed for blind people who have no computer experience at all. Using a computer becomes the proverbial 'piece of cake', that's why, in the last year alone, at least 5 of our octogenarian members have started using a computer for the first time.
'Our Silver Surfer's Day event is on 23rd May, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stricklandgate House in Kendal. Everyone is welcome, you don't have to have a sight problem. For people with sight problems, Silver Surfers' Day is just the start, we offer ongoing support and training in all aspects of computer use, we can even lend you a computer.'
- For more information on South Lakes Society for the Blind, ring Charles Ely
on 01539 742633
- For information on Silver Surfers' Day, contact Gill Adams, M: 07860 515 217,
T: 0870 241 5091 E: gill.adams@digitalunite.net
, W: www.silversurfersday.org
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Ashfields Community Radio, Nottingham, says 'communication is the answer'
for deprived communities
'SSD is one of our most successful ways to get people through the door and to have a go at exploring the internet and ICT.
'We have an open kitchen during the event so people pop through for a cup of tea and a chat. It's just a great atmosphere! And for our learners it is just a relaxed experience, as most of them will be out of any form of education for a while and would really love to know more about the internet but are just too scared to go back to college, or even to ask! We let everyone sit around and explore, most people will have a go, but a few just like to observe and see what's going on. Individuals usually do different things as we try to encourage learners to explore the web according to their own interests and needs,' says Milene Bizachi, Training Development Officer.
'Ashfields is a non-profitable charity that began in 1993. Since then we have trained an average of 150 learners a year, working with the deprived areas of the Mansfield and Ashfield districts.
'Ashfields' aim is to provide training and education in radio and media communication for local people, a platform for communicating social and recreational issues, and opportunity for regeneration through communication.'
- For more information on Ashfield Community Radio, ring Milene Bizachi, 01623
721054
- For information on Silver Surfers' Day, contact Gill Adams, M: 07860 515 217,
T: 0870 241 5091 E: gill.adams@digitalunite.net
, W: www.silversurfersday.org
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Silver Surfers catch a comput@bus in rural Worcestershire
People living in a sheltered scheme, managed by Elgar Housing in Martley or
visiting a volunteer-run library in a Village Hall in Welland (both Worcestershire
) on May 23rd, are being visited by a space-age comput@bus, with 8 computer
work stations, two tutors and a satellite for the internet connection.
Libraries offer so much more than books. Two hours free internet access per day is available to library members and visitors in all Worcestershire's Libraries as well as a 24 hour on-line service providing all your library needs for those times when you cannot access the library service in person. Information about libraries, opening times and contact details can be found by visiting the website http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home/wcc-lib-index.htm . To help you get on-line most libraries offer regular basic computer training courses.
Richard Morgan, the Life Long Learning tutor who manages the comput@bus service, says 'Don't be shy. It's never too late to start. Come along and see what all the fuss is about. You don't even need your own computer. You can use a free public terminal in your library!'
This will be the first time that Malvern Library has taken to the road in quite this way for Silver Surfers' Day and they're proud to be an unusual and exciting part of the whole campaign.
Hilary Deakin, Area Manager from Elgar Housing says, 'we are pleased that Malvern Library is able to offer this exciting opportunity to older people who may not have used computers before. We aim to provide facillities and IT training for residents in all our sheltered schemes and have been pleased by the level of enthusiam and interest from residents over the last 2 years.'
- For more information on the Malvern Compt@bus contact Delphine Telfer, Malvern
Library on 01684 561223
- For information on Silver Surfers' Day, contact Gill Adams, M: 07860 515 217,
T: 0870 241 5091 E: gill.adams@digitalunite.net
, W: www.silversurfersday.org
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Channel 4 goes 'hands-on'
The producers of two exciting Channel 4 website communities invite potential
and experienced Silver Surfers to their HQ in Victoria on 23rd May, 10am - 4pm
to have a go at putting their stories on the internet. Help will be at hand
to guide computer and internet users at all levels of experience.
They believe that the exciting thing about the internet and online communities is that there is the potential for everyone to tell their story, share their knowledge, express themselves and be heard. And the more diverse the individuals who contribute are, the better it gets for everyone.
Channel 4 strive to attract to their online communities the richest mix of people to share their stories. 'In particular, we encourage people who haven't ever considered contributing to a website community to learn how and have a go', says Susan Ferreira da Silva.
'To give older people an experience of doing this on Silver Surfers' Day we plan to show the Empire's Children website and help them contribute and share their experiences of the British Empire. We are also spotlighting the Medicine Chest website where people can capture for future generations their know-how about natural and traditional approaches to health and healing (in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew). They'll have the opportunity to share their individual experiences, knowledge and views providing an important, lasting legacy for years to come. The more older people share their wisdom and experiences the richer things are for us all.'
- For more information on this Silver Surfers' Day event at Channel 4 or to
make a booking (essential) please contact Susan Ferreira da Silva 07932 378
680
- For information on Silver Surfers' Day, contact Gill Adams, M: 07860 515 217,
T: 0870 241 5091 E: gill.adams@digitalunite.net
, W: www.silversurfersday.org
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Silver Surfers' Day 2008 is managed by Digital Unite Limited in
partnership with Ofcom.
Copyright Digital Unite Ltd. Please use all material with credit: www.silversurfersday.org. Enquiries to: silver@digitalunite.net